Andrew Gaff won’t be rushed as North Melbourne’s offer could be $2m more than West Coast’s

ANDREW Gaff probably won’t make a decision on his future for at least a month but the Kangaroos believe it’s between them and West Coast for his signature, writes MARK ROBINSON.

Andrew Gaff is weighing up big offers from the Eagles and Kangaroos. Picture: Getty Images

ANDREW Gaff probably won’t make a decision on his future for at least a month.

And when he does, it won’t be about money.

If it was, he’d probably sign at the Kangaroos who have had a tendency to blow rivals out of the water.

Their wishlist this year is Jared Polec from Port Adelaide for about $700,000, Gaff from West Coast for about $1.1 million, Aaron Hall from the Gold Coast for about $400,000 and at the end of 2019, Josh Kelly from the Greater Western Sydney for … well, write your own ticket.

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Just what do you offer Kelly, arguably the best player in the competition, to leave his footy club? $1.3m a season. $1.5m?

If Gaff is in the range of $1m-$1.1m, then Kelly is nudging $1.5m.

And on Tuesday North was linked to Shaun Atley’s brother Joe, who is at Port Adelaide.

All-Australian Gaff clearly is in demand.

The Kangaroos believe it’s between them and West Coast and while St Kilda is making noises about wanting to talk to Gaff — and any player who has a pulse, for that matter — they accept he isn’t going to call Moorabbin home.

North Melbourne is believed to have made a big play for Andrew Gaff. Picture: AAP

Speculation is the Kangas have offered seven years and they hope the Eagles have offered six.

The Kangas also know it won’t be about money with Gaff, but at the same time, a difference of, say, $150,000 a year between their offer and the Eagles’ offer, plus the extra year, would have the Kangaroos out in front by roughly $2m.

All up, North’s offer would be about $8m and a potential six-year offer from West Coast about $6m.

The pursuit of Gaff and others on good coin might be unsettling for some Kangaroos players.

Wingman Luke McDonald has had a poor season, but the club will soon announce a new contract for him.

Tagger Ben Jacobs, who has played only 20 games in three seasons, is in discussions over a new deal.

Port Adelaide’s Jared Polec is another Kangaroos target. Picture: Getty Images

The likes of Mason Wood, Kayne Turner, Ryan Clark and Shaun Atley might not have to worry about new contracts, but they will have to worry about keeping their senior spots if the club lands their preferred recruits.

Gaff and his manager Paul Connors have not spoken about contact offers since Gaff was suspended for eight matches for belting Andrew Brayshaw.

He has stayed in Melbourne with family since the tribunal hearing and it was revealed he caught up with Brayshaw.

Gaff even took flowers for Brayshaw’s mum Deb and Andrew’s brother Angus said his brother and Gaff spent 30 minutes together.

“Andrew came to our parents’ place early in week. He brought around some flowers for Debra, and mum was at work, so it was just him and Andrew Brayshaw sitting there,” he said.

“They had a chat for 30 minutes and he apologised and they spoke about a few things and as far as I can tell it went really well,’’ Angus said on the AFL Exchange podcast.

“I think it will be beneficial for Gaff to have a bit of closure about it and for Andrew as well.”

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